Cottage Grove Reports October 2017

OCTOBER 2017

Cottage Grove Reports INSIDE THIS ISSUE Community Internet Survey Capture Cottage Grove Photo Contest Public Safety Director Announces Retirement Holiday Train Arrives Dec. 9 State Bonding Tour in Cottage Grove New Food Specials at The Eagles Bar and Grill River Oaks Golf Fall Rates Ice Arena Events Recreation Events

Woodridge Park Inclusive Playground Now Open On Sept. 26, more than 200 gathered to watch as the ribbon was cut celebrating the official opening of the Woodridge Park Inclusive Playground.

At 21,500 square feet, it is the largest playground of its kind in Minnesota. It was designed to be accessible to everyone, no matter age or ability. The large variety of play equipment provides opportunities for physical, cognitive, social and sensory development.

It took many people to make the dream of this playground a reality, including many volunteers, contributors and donors.

The playground, located at 9000 90th Street S., has something for everyone.

Recommendations from the My Future Cottage Grove community engagement project were presented to the City Council at the Sept. 20 meeting. Rebecca Ryan, of NEXT Generation Consulting, analyzed all the comments received from the community as well as input from the My Future Cottage Grove steering committee to develop the recommendations.

A community-wide celebration and launch party will be held on Oct. 25.

Please see the insert for more information, or visit the City’s website.

County Road 19 and East Point Douglas Road Reopens With New Roundabout The roundabout at County Road 19 and East Point Douglas Road opened to traffic on Sept. 25, including access to Highway 61.

The six-leg roundabout was constructed to help address traffic volumes and safety concerns.

Construction on the Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park continues. A new park entrance off of County Road 19 is being constructed.

The park is expected to reopen spring 2018.

City of CoƩage Grove, 12800 Ravine Parkway S., CoƩage Grove, MN 55016, 651-458-2800

OCTOBER 2017 Coming Up

Community Internet Survey

Oct 14

Fire Department Open House, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Kingston Park

Oct 15

Oktoberfest, Noon–4 p.m., Historic Hope Glen Farm, 10276 E. Pt. Douglas Road, $10/adults, $5/kids, free under age 3

The City of Cottage Grove is undertaking a comprehensive community internet survey in an effort to determine gaps of service in our community and what access our residents and businesses have to high speed internet, speed levels and multiple providers. The survey contains 20 mostly multi-choice questions and will take about 10 minutes to complete.

Oct 25

My Future Cottage Grove Celebration/Launch, 6:30– 8:30 pm, Furber Farm (see insert)

Oct 28

Monster Bash Parade, 10 a.m.

Runs along E. Pt. Douglas Road from ISD 833 Service Center to District Program Center. More info: www.cottagegrove strawberryfest.com

Nov 4

Nov 7

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser (Holiday Train), 2–8 p.m., American Legion, St. Paul Park.

Election Day, District 833 Referendum and School Board Elections. Learn more: www.sowashco.org/ Election2017

Nov 23

Hale to the Bird 5K, fundraiser for local food shelf. More info: http://bit.ly/2xcKJ8C

Nov 27

Winter Lights and Decorations Nominations Due, more info on the City’s website.

Dec 6

Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5:45 p.m., City Hall, more info on the City’s website.

Access the survey from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15 at www.cottage-grove.org/internet As part of the survey you will be asked to If you have questions about the survey provide your internet speeds (both upload please contact Matt Wolf at 651-458-2833 and download), which can be determined or mwolf@cottage-grove.org. by visiting www.speedtest.net. In order to accurately survey the community you will be asked to provide your address.

Capture Cottage Grove Photo Contest Show us your best shot! From people to places to celebrations and locations, you’re invited to capture the best of the City and submit your pictures in the annual photo contest.

Submissions are due by Dec. 29 with winners announced at a City Council meeting in February 2018.

Categories include: Celebrations and Events • Nature • People • Parks and Trails • Streetscapes and City Landmarks • Youth (ages 15 and younger) •

Each category winner will receive $50 and a certificate from the City Council.

Learn more at http://bit.ly/2ewB0eR or email communications@cottage-grove.org New this year, photos may be entered online. Photos may also be mailed or dropped off at City Hall. The entry form is available online.

Don’t Forget to Fall Back—and Change Your Batteries Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Nov. 5. Remember to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed.

detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in homes that did not have a working smoke alarm. With a working smoke alarm, the risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half. Learn more at www.nfpa.org.

Nov 1 to Mar 31 22

Cottage Grove Fire Chief Rick Redenius Be sure to also check the batteries in your flashlights and weather radios so you’ll be reminds residents that this is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke prepared in case of an emergency.

Cottage Grove R E P O R T S

OCTOBER 2017

Public Safety Director Announces Retirement Cottage Grove Public Safety Director Craig Woolery has announced his retirement. His last day of employment will be Feb. 23, 2018.

Woolery has served the Cottage Grove community for 34 years. As the Public Safety Director, Woolery oversees the police, fire, emergency medical services, emergency management and animal control operations for the city.

Woolery expressed that the talented people in the Public Safety Department are fully capable of moving the department and city onto new levels. He said is has been an incredible honor to serve the Cottage Grove community.

While he says he will miss the people who work for the department and City, he is looking forward to enjoying his hobbies and being open to what opportunities may come his way.

City To Celebrate 15 Years of Holiday Train on Dec. 9 Road, just south of the 80th Street Bridge/ Cottage Grove, Grey Cloud Island, Newport and St. Paul Park.

Belden Crossing.

In the past 14 years, the Holiday Train event in Cottage Grove has raised more than $927,423 for the local food shelf.

The goal this year is to hit a huge milestone of 1 million dollars raised in 15 years by meeting the 2017 goal of $90,000. All cash Mark your calendars! The Canadian Pacific and donations of personal care items Holiday Train returns for its 15th year on collected at the Cottage Grove Holiday the evening of Saturday, Dec. 9. No Train stop go directly to the Friends in specific time has been announced yet. The Need Food Shelf serving the residents of train will stop along West Point Douglas

If you are unable to attend the event and would still like to donate, please send checks payable to the Friends in Need Food Shelf, noting “Holiday Train” in the memo line to Friends in Need Food Shelf, P.O. Box 6, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.

State Bonding Committee Cottage Grove Stop The House Capital Investment Committee learned more about the proposed HERO (health and emergency response occupations) Center during a stop in Cottage Grove on Sept. 5. The Cottage Grove and Woodbury joint project could begin construction next year if funding is received. The center would be an east metro public safety training facility.

The Eagles Bar and Grill is now offering Friday Fish Fry and Saturday Prime Rib from 3 to 9 p.m. The restaurant is located at River Oaks Golf Course and Event Center, 11099 Highway 61 S.

River Oaks is collecting donations for the Friends in Need (FIN) Food shelf program. Golfers may bring in a nonperishable food item or put a dollar in the donation box to get the fall rates: • $32 for seniors to ride 18 holes • $44 for non-seniors to ride • $22 for seniors to walk 18 holes • $30 for non-seniors to walk 18 holes The event raises almost $1,000 for FIN. Golf Course and Event Center, 11099 Highway 61 S. 651-438-2121, www.riveroaksmunigolf.com

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Cottage Grove R E P O R T S

ICE ARENA

OCTOBER 2017

8020 80th Street S., Phone: 651-458-3400

ICE SKATING LESSONS

Our Learn-to-Skate program prepares participants for all ice sports. Students are individually evaluated to make certain they are in the appropriate level.

Please come prepared with: sharpened, leather, single blade hockey or figure skates; warm and comfortable clothing including mittens; and a bike/hockey helmet if skater is age 5 or younger.

Dates: Nov. 27 to Feb. 11 (Winter Session) Cost: $77 Levels: Skating Tots: Ages 3–5, new to skating.

Level 1: Ages 5–8, minimal skating skills.

Level 2: Ages 5 and up, have passed Level 1.

Level 3: Skaters who have passed Level 2.

Level 4: Skaters who have passed Level 3.

OPEN BROOMBALL ($5/player)

On Sunday nights join other players, ages 17+, on our Studio Rink for a pickup game of broomball. Players must bring their own helmets and sticks.

Limited amount of sticks available on a first come, first serve basis. Please check website or call for current schedule.

FIGURE SKATER PRACTICE ($5-$10)

Sessions are for the dedicated figure skater, level Alpha and above. Practice figure skating skills, jumps and spins.

Mondays 12:15–2 p.m.

Tuesdays 12:15–2 p.m.; 2:30–5:30 p.m.

Wednesdays 6–7:30 a.m.; 12:15–2 p.m.

Thursdays 12:15–2 p.m.; 2:30–5:30 p.m.

Fridays 6–7:30 a.m.; 12:15–2 p.m.

OPEN SKATE SESSIONS ($5) Saturdays 6:15–7:45 a.m.

These sessions are a chance for your family to get exercise, practice skating, Sundays 8–9:45 p.m. and have fun. Skating aids (buckets) for those learning to skate. Session times vary; please check website or call for current MEA BREAK SKATING EVENTS schedule. Rental skates available for $4 per pair.

Dates: Oct. 19 and 20 Stick and Puck: $5, 10:30 a.m.–Noon ADULT OPEN HOCKEY ($5) Open Skate: $4, 10:30 a.m.–Noon Join others, ages 18+, on Monday evenings. Bring your own hockey Open Hockey: $5, 9–10:15 a.m. (Youth) equipment. Helmets required. Please check website or call for schedule as Open Hockey: $5, 12:15–1:30 p.m. (High School) some sessions may cancel due to special events.

STICK & PUCK ($5)

For hockey skaters of any age to come skate with sticks and pucks! Work on skating skills, drills and stick handling. Please check website or call for current schedule. Helmets mandatory for those under age 18.

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY Display your message to the thousands of patrons at the Ice Arena.

Call 651-458-3415 or visit the website for a full brochure with pricing options.

RECREATION EVENTS MEA BREAK OCT. 19 AND 20 (AT PETER THOMPSON PARK)

No school? No problem! Sign up for our MEA Break at Peter Thompson Park. From 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants will play games, make crafts, watch movies, and have lots of fun! There will be opportunities to go outside so participants should dress for the weather. Be sure to bring a lunch; refrigerator and microwave available. Pre-registration required and space is limited. For ages 5 and older. Cost is $21/day

HALLOWEEN SKATING SPOOKTACULAR Tricks and Treats at this skating Halloween Party! Open Skate Night is about to get scary with fog, strobe lights, music, and more. Play Halloween games, test your skills at the Mystery Boxes, take home a pic from our photo booth, and treats for everyone.

Ages: Date: Time: Location: Cost:

All Oct. 24 6:15–7:30 p.m.

Cottage Grove Ice Arena $8

Rental skates are available at a cost of $4 per pair. Pay at the door; no preregistration is required.

The Cottage Grove Reports Monthly is mailed to all residents with their utility statement, sent directly to residents not receiving City utilities and at www.cottage-grove.org.

Comments may be sent to: City of Cottage Grove, 12800 Ravine Parkway S., Cottage Grove, MN, 55016. Phone: 651-458-2800. Email: smadsen@cottage-grove.org

Mayor: Myron Bailey. Council Members: Steve Dennis, Wayne Johnson, La Rae Mills, Dave Thiede.